Born in the 600th century as a means of sanitizing the country from the plague and revived after the 1980 earthquake as a symbol of rebirth, "A Chiena" (The Flood) in Campagna (Salerno) has become one of the most popular and anticipated events of the Campania summer. But this year, the event, which attracts tourists and visitors from all over Italy, has come under fire for the alleged waste of water during a drought.
In fact, by diverting the course of the Tenza river, the city streets are flooded to the delight of adults and children who, between buckets and refreshing walks, spend thirty minutes every Saturday and Sunday in the name of pure fun. This year, after two years of forced stop due to Covid, 'A Chiena' is back. But after the first weekend of water fights, controversy flared up.
For the representatives of Europa Verde (Angelo Bonelli, national spokesperson, Francesco Emilio Borrelli, regional councilor of Campania and Fiorella Zabatta, co-president of the national council) it is "a shameful waste of water" and "an insult to the drought drama we are experiencing".
It is no coincidence that the intervention of Minister Roberto Cingolani and the President of the Campania Region, Vincenzo De Luca, was requested to stop the event. "They call it the water festival but it is a shameful waste, an insult to the drama that Italy is experiencing. It is totally false to say that since it is a river diversion the water is not lost", the attack launched by the representatives of Europa Verde regarding the "Chiena" of Campagna.
A theory denied by the president of the Pro Loco, Cosimo Giordano, who, questioned by ANSA, explains: "In Campagna not even a drop of water is wasted. An artificial canal captures the water in the Chiatrone area and releases it into Piazza Melchiorre Guerriero; the water flows along the main course and then channels itself back into the natural riverbed through a special drain, so that it is not lost".
A thought also reinforced by the mayor of Campagna, Roberto Monaco. "We are very sensitive to the issue of drought, we understand the reasons why this topic raises concerns from many sides but in the specific case of the Chiena there is no type of waste". The organizers also assure that "the levels of the river are constantly monitored by an irrigation consortium that verifies compliance with the minimums.
So there are no drought problems”. Campania is among the regions that so far have not had problems with water shortages, even if the data on the flow of rivers and the capacity of reservoirs are constantly worsening compared to last year.
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